Memories times two
This picture is from our home and habitat in Virginia. Although I'm happy with my move overall, I invested a lot of time and emotional energy in creating a habitat there, and it was hard to leave it behind. In addition, we have a sentimental attachment to this plant. Our pussywillow was rooted from one which my husband rooted as an elementary school project, then planted in his parents' backyard. We took a cutting from it and after several attempts, successfully rooted in in Virginia. I'm still trying to restart it here in Michigan.
Pussywillows are a member of the willow family. They thrive in wet soil and in soil with lots of clay and/or poor drainage (In Virginia, we had a high water table, being on the edge of the flood plain, and lots of clay). They are nonetheless drought resistant and hardy to zone 2.
The catkins appear in mid-to-late February, an early sign of spring, and provide early season food for migrating songbirds as well as resident birds and small mammals.
I'm looking forward to the day that the next generation of this plant successfully puts down roots in Michigan.
3 Comments:
Good luck with your pussy willow project. I have three in my yard, and they are thriving, thanks to my clay. I love watching the birds perch on them after splashing around in the bird baths, and then nibbling at the catkins.
A couple of years ago I was absolutely convinced that those white-flower-covered stick things along the road were pussy willows. They've turned out to be wild plums. Not that that's bad, but I'm still looking for pussy willows.
Thanks, Colleen. I think we have the right environment for them here and I'm encouraged that yours are thriving.
Wayne, wild plums sound nice to have around. But don't stop looking for the pussywillows - you may have to import them, I'm not sure that they are native as far south as you are.
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